Goats affected by acorn poisoning have a poor appetite, appear dull, become constipated, suffer weight loss and look “gaunted up” or “tucked up”. They also may pass blood in the manure and/or bleed from the nostrils. Profuse diarrhea may follow after the experience constipation. Affected animals drink large amounts of water and void excessive amounts of clear urine (urine may also contain blood). Many animals go down after 3-7 days of acorn poisoning clinical signs. If these affected animals do …
Goat Early Lactation
Early Lactation
The relationships between feed intake, body weight, and milk production in lactating does is illustrated in Figure 2. Generally, milk yield peaks six to nine weeks after kidding, and feed intake does not peak until later. Thus, does are usually in a state of negative energy balance in early to mid-lactation. Therefore, body reserves – fat and protein – have to be used to make up for this energy deficit. The animal’s nutrient intake will not meet her …
Ethnic Marketing Issues
Ethnic Marketing Issues
Many potential consumers of goat meat are from different ethnic and religious groups that have specific requirements and rules for food. Many of these groups want to know the person who produces their food or to produce it themselves. Often they have specific requirements for processing meat so it qualifies under their religious rules. If you wish to market to them then you will need to better understand these differences. People practice Islam need animals to be …
Goat Mammary Gland Diseases
Goat Marketing
Meat Goat Marketing
Demographic shifts in the United States indicate that there are almost 53 million people who have a preference for goat meat. There are approximately 2 million market goats in the United States, according to the latest agricultural statistics. Based on consumption trends, goat demand exceeds inventory by 160 percent.
As the meat-goat industry in the United States has grown, so to has the market infrastructure. Producers must realize that our markets are dependent on demographics, supply/demand and …